“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
“Dependability is priceless!”
My thoughts today are about “dependability.”
Who comes to mind when you think of dependability? There is something about that quality that stands out as admirable and reliable. Do you think that you come to mind when your family or friends think of dependability? Today’s culture doesn’t seem to value that character trait very much it would appear to me, but God does and a lot of others as well. “Continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel” Colossians 1:23 NIV.
Have you heard the expression “fifteen minutes of fame”? The crowd’s favor and interest seems to have the shelf life of day old bread. Attention is limited to hot topics, latest trends, new faces, and rising stars, which elevates the temporary and depreciates values that are tested and enduring. What else explains the popularity of Twitter? How much of lasting importance can be contained in 140 letters, answering the question, “What are you doing?” That is not as relevant as what you want to do with your life!
You live in an age of information that is woefully lacking in real communication. Immediacy is not better than quality. We have been given wonderful tools, but are content to use them as toys. We have taken an amazing world of incredible technology and instantaneous information that makes your reach worldwide but often leaves relationships an inch deep. I am not so much impressed by how many “friends” you have on Facebook, as you should be interested in how many friends you have that you can depend on and how many know they can depend on you.
Did you notice the surrounding context of today’s verse? The entire 15th chapter establishes the reality and certainty of Jesus’ Resurrection. Because of the power of that reality, you can be “steadfast and immovable,” whatever the circumstance of the moment. Let the joyful affirmation of the preceding verse reverberate in your heart in every troubling time and situation, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV.
It is not always easy to be dependable. Sometimes it is just hard work. Sometimes it involves doing what you are tired of doing, and at an inconvenient time. The Apostle Paul who wrote the instruction of today’s verse knew what he was talking about. When he was told that to continue his journey would mean sacrifice and suffering, Paul responded, “None of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself.” Read Acts 20:18-24 NKJV.
And our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 NKJV), knelt in a garden there when facing betrayal and death yet prayed, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NIV. A world bound in its sins was depending on Him, just as you and I do today. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV. Dependability is priceless!
And the result? The Bible promises that life will be abundant and most satisfying when you are, “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Abounding! That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
My prayer for you today is to be someone God and others can depend upon.